Community Forums

joedurrance · 07-16-2011, 07:28 AM

I need advice on re-sealing around the vents, etc on my roof top. I am told all the sealant around all the items on the roof must be re-sealed. It has been 6 years so I guess it is past time to replace the sealant. I park the RV in my garage and wash and condition the roof with 303 Protectant twice a year.(weather it needs it or not) I am not having any problems with leaking or sealant coming off but just think it is time. I purchased all the tubes of sealant from Randy Hendrix in June. I just told him to give me all I needed to do the whole roof. Now, how do I get started? Can I use a plastic spatulas to remove the old caulking and seals? What to be careful of?? What is the best way to clean up the area before applying new sealant? Not looking forward to this job at all! '05 Fleetwood Tradition with Fiberglass roof.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-16-2011, 07:49 AM

I don't remove and replace sealant (caulking) that is working ok and neither does The American Coach factory if you ask them to inspect & repair your roof. I inspect mine annually and touch up if needed but otherwise leave it alone. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Remove and loose or badly cracked caulk with whatever tool works easily. Since you have a fiberglass roof, you don't have to worry about cutting it like you would with EPDM or TPO. Clean the area (you can use mineral spirits on fiberglass) and apply new caulk as needed.

On my '04 Tradition I've re-done the fridge vent area, added caulk on two corners on the shower skylight and touched up around the ladder mounts. Everything else is still fine.

az bound · 07-16-2011, 07:57 AM

A plastic spatula will work just fine. You can do it ether of two ways. If you choose to you can remove all the old caulking, then clean the area with denatured alcohol or acetone and reseal.
Another method is to just recaulk any suspect areas. Be sure to clean thoroughly.

Smokyjoe · 07-16-2011, 07:58 AM

I just did mine. I used Eternabond tape , 4" wide. Used a putty knief to scrape old thick stuff off. The tape made a much better jod of it. Tape is 20 year guarantee.
A lot of hard work. Companies that do that charge as much as $1700.00.

TXiceman · 07-16-2011, 08:00 AM

No need to fix it if it broke.....

Keep and eye on the roof seams and repair them when they look bad. After the coach is quiet a bit older, you may want to consider a major reseal, but not a year year old coach.

You should be checking the seams and seals every 6 months.

ken